New findings of tridactyl mammalian tracks from Tarom mountains of Zanjan
Authors
1
University of Zanjan
2
BSc student, Department of geology, Faculty of science University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
Abstract
Late Eocene sediments in the Suli Chai area of the Tarom Mountains, north of Zanjan, have extensive outcrops of sandstone and lithic tuff layers that have preserved abundant footprints of mammals and birds. Two new specimens containing three-toed footprints of mammals have been found in a number of debris boulders in these units. Examination of these footprints shows that two types or forms of footprints can be identified among them. One of the types is similar to previously reported specimens (Moropopus elongatus), which is characterized by having lateral digits with little divergence and elongation. The second type (Lophiopus) is larger in size and has a high divergence of lateral digits and no elongation. The simultaneous presence of these two types in one surface could indicate that they belong to the same track maker but with differences in sexual dimorphism, maturity level, or different behavior of the locomotory organs. However, the possibility of the existence of two different species of trackmakers is also possible. These new findings reveal some unreported features of previous samples and indicate the high potential of the study area for new discoveries.
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